PAKIL:

FREE FLOWING DILLEMA

 Pakil and its adjacent communities on the east bank of Laguna de Bay are blessed with
free-flowing spring water, which locals have enjoyed as drinking water, irrigation, and even
entertainment for as long as they can remember. In the town’s famous public bathing pools,
such as the old Turumba Spring, the waters are appreciated for their reputed healing
properties and have become pilgrimage sites of sorts. These towns are in the mountainous
region of Laguna province. But what could its mountains do when a big capitalist project
towers over it. Ahunan Dam, a $1.1 billion project that will supposedly be a 1,400MW Pumped
Storage Hydroelectric PowerPlant, will soon rise at the east bank of Laguna de Bay in Pakil in
the Province of Laguna, Philippines.

Pakil Via Wikipedia

Of course, as dreamy as the project will be, it will also be disastrous for the local
settlers, animals and the environment in the small town of Pakil. Pakil itself is a jolly small town
comprised of both exquisite culture and stunning nature. But because of the proposed project
by the Ahunan Inc. (a joint venture by tycoon Enrique Razon’s Prime Metro Power Holdings
Corp. and JBD Water Power Inc.), their prosperity and peace is being disturbed. The Ahunan
Dam project, which is expected to have an impact on 299 hectares over four Pakil barangays
(Baño, Burgos, Rizal, and Taft), calls for the development of an upper basin that will function
as a reservoir for producing electricity. Pakileños have formed an organization to oppose the
$1.1 billion Ahunan Hydropower Project they say poses a great threat to their community by
potentially altering their water supply of natural spring water from the Sierra Madre or may
totally stop their flow. Calling itself the Mamamayan Nagmamahal sa Pakil (MANAPAK), the
group demands a stop to all fieldworks on their mountains, particularly near Mt. Ping-as,
traditionally regarded as sacred by Pakileños. Residents worry that the hydropower project will
have an impact on their source of drinking water as well as their ability to practice their religion
in Pakil's natural pools. The construction of the Ahunan hydropower dam will also involve the
destruction of trees in Sierra Madre, which will also affect wildlife. Resident Melquiades de
Cadiz said they are starting to see signs of water disruption since Ahunan hydropower project
pre-construction activities have started upstream. The Macapanpan group also cautioned
about the project's potential effects on agriculture, floods, and landslides. The destruction of
forests will also increase the likelihood of landslides and heavy flooding in the area.

Dam Example Via punchng.com

According to the website of the Ahunan Power Incorporations, water from Laguna de
Bay is used in the pumped storage plan to transport water to an artificial upper basin via
subterranean power waterways. Because every component is built beneath, there is little
environmental impact. Additionally, it is listed by the Department of Energy (DOE) as one of
the Philippines' contributors to clean energy. The local government also approves the project
and construction of the Hydropower Plant, and on the past September 14th, Pakil's Municipal
Council even issued a "No Objection Resolution" which is a crucial first step towards the
granting of the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificate.
 1400MW Ahunan Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant Project map via emd.gov.ph

Several Trust funds and several protests are being executed by the people to stop the
"Capitalist works". Regarding the situation, a recent report of a protester being arrested also
surfaced on Social media. “The arrest of Daisy Macapanpan, reeks of many irregularities. Why
send around 40 members of the Special Action Force to arrest a 68 year-old woman? That’s
overkill. This is a clear reprisal against her for standing up against a potentially destructive
dam project,” said Leon Dulce, national coordinator for Kalikasan PNE.

Pakil in Laguna Map Via Wikipedia

 In the current age of development, water resources will of course have certain
technological advancements linked with it, urbanization getting acquainted and multiple issues
surrounding the same topic. The Pakileños are yearning for the total stop and total
cancellation of the ongoing constructions within their place. On the other side, the Ahunan
corporation is still pushing for the development and continuation of the Hydropower Plant Dam
(which is currently at rest). The question of tradition, culture, and Environment or development,
technology, and Clean Energy will be the main dilemma of the topical affairs happening.

REFERENCES AND CITATIONS

Flores, A. M. S. (2022, February 27). Razon-led Company Building $1.1-B pumped-storage plant. Manila
Standard. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://manilastandard.net/business/power-
technology/314210491/razon-led-company-building-1-1-b-pumped-storage-plant.html

Valenzuela, E. N. C. (2022, September 7). Pakil residents protest construction of Hydropower Plant.
Bulatlat. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.bulatlat.com/2022/09/07/pakil-residents- protest-
construction-of-hydropower-plant/

Gomez, E. J. (2022, September 10). Ahunan Power Buys Stake in re developer. The Manila Times.
Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/09/10/business/corporate-
news/ahunan-power-buys-stake-in-re-developer/1857893